Half Informed

Microsoft Security Essentials has been released on their site. Get it here Microsoft.com. In a follow up to yesterdays article @bradgal @ZDNetBlogs | Microsoft blesses us with free AV 09/29/09 #MSE I removed F-Secure from my netbook and installed MSE. I will be trying this out over the next while to see how well it stacks up to F-Secure.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Installation

The install is pretty straight forward though all you cheap asses out there that do not have a Genuine Advantage legit copy won’t get very far on this installer. The installer also warns that it may conflict with current Anti-Virus solutions so you should remove any current AV/Firewall combo you may have.

After installation MSE goes through a update/ scan process making sure you machine is up to snuff. While this was going on I decided to look around the program and check out its features. To my surprise it has a very clean Windows 7′esque feeling with an easy to navigate user interface.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Scanning

In the Advanced Tab we see some much needed tools that I am happy to see came with MSE. Exclude rules mainly and also the fact that it didn’t beep at me telling me my copy of mIRC is a ‘potential risk’. The program also comes with shell integration so you can easily right click and scan files you may think are a threat.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Shell Integration

Microsoft Security Essentials comes with a rather robust set of features considering the price tag. Though it could have more, Microsoft is probably saving those features for its’ retail offering called Forefront.

Only time using this program will tell if it is any good. But at a total cost of zero dollars anyone breaking a sweat over reviewing this probably lives like Vork from The Guild.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Update Tab

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 History Tab

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Settings Tab

Soure Tweet: @bradgalRT @ZDNetBlogs: Report: Final version of free Microsoft Security Essentials to ship September 29 -http://tinyurl.com/ybzdqrx

Source Article: ZDNet Blogs

Great news! Microsoft is giving us a free anti-virus solution by the name of Microsoft Security Essentials.

Now I could do some sour grapes writing here but I will leave that to the Apple Camp. To be honest I am thrilled to see the software giant release a free anti-virus solution.

Microsoft Security Essentials Beta

The article from ZDnet states “Microsoft is targeting MSE at customers who are unwilling and unable to pay for security software.” Well at least they recognize that there are a lot of people who can just barely afford to get their family a PC. The whole virus boondoggle centered on Windows PCs vrs Apples UNIX like OS got out of hand eons ago and has made many unscrupulous bastards rich. So help me god if I ever got within 10 feet of the guy that invented MyWebSearch…

So now Microsoft is tossing us a free Anti-Virus, firewall combo. This is great news and might do a little to help resolve the security concerns that most people get in their minds when they think of the Windows product. But if Microsoft is really trying to help restore faith. They should look into BMighty.com‘s article  An Open Letter To Microsoft: Why you need to make Windows 7 a free upgrade from Vista by Fredric Paul.